How to Hire a Life Story Writer (AKA a Memoir Writer, Biographer, or Ghostwriter) – Tips and What to Expect

1. What is the difference between a ghostwriter, life story writer, a memoir writer, and a biographer? 

A ghostwriter is any writer who pens a manuscript on behalf of another person. So, life story writers, memoir writers, and biography writers often fall under the overarching term of ghostwriter. 

A life story writer can be a memoir writer, biographer, or both; it is an all-encompassing term. At Raconteur, we broadly consider ourselves life story writers since everything we write has to do with documenting life stories. 

A memoir writer is someone who writes about certain aspects of a life. For example, if you commission a book solely about your service in the military or about your travels or your experience in business, that would be considered a memoir. 

A biographer is someone who writes about an entire life. Most often at Raconteur, we write autobiographies—books that cover all seasons of a subject’s life, ranging from early childhood memories to recent experiences—from our subject’s point of view. 

2. How do I know if a writer is reputable, talented, and a good fit for me? 

Before hiring a writer, see if their website includes solid answers to frequently asked questions, reputable testimonials, and a lengthy portfolio. By carefully examining the frequently asked questions, you will learn more about the writer’s specialties and processes. By reviewing testimonials, you can ensure the quality of writing and finished products. By scanning the writer’s portfolio, you will ensure that he or she is experienced enough to tackle your life story project. 

3. What work should be expected of me when I hire a personal life story writer? 

Hardly any work at all. If a life story writer expects you to fill out pages and pages of interview questions, you have found the wrong writer. At Raconteur, we handle every detail of the process. All you have to do is verbally answer interview questions about your life story during your interviews and then review the manuscript once we have written it. There is no further effort on your part. 

4. How long should it take? 

When you hire a life story writer to write your book, you should only be expected to be involved in the interview phase, lasting about one to two weeks, and the review phase. (If you are aiming for an above average, extensive life story book, then more interview time may be necessary.) At Raconteur, we conduct interviews in three-hour increments on consecutive days. After that, we typically spend two to three months writing your life story. Once you review the manuscript and we internally review it multiple times, as well as design a completely custom book, the finished books are printed—usually about six months to a year after interviews. 

Should you consider a life story writer promising too-good-to-be-true turnaround times, like one or two months, be wary. Producing a thought out, well-crafted, and professional-quality book takes time. 

5. How do I know I will like the finished book?

When hiring a memoir writer or biographer, make sure you have read excerpts of their writing or an entire book. Do you like the flow? The style? The order of events? If you are reading our portfolio, you will notice that each story is told from a distinct voice: that of the individual who is telling his or her life story. By reading samples of the writer’s work before hiring him or her, you will ensure your satisfaction with your own story when it’s portrayed in a similar style. 

6. How much should it cost? 

Cost depends on interview and writing time involved, travel expenses, and design fees. Books containing 75 pages should cost considerably less than 125-page books or 200-page books. Considering that a tremendous amount of time will go into the creation of your life story book (usually 100 to 300 hours at Raconteur), be weary of low prices. If you receive a quote that seems incredibly low, then do extra research on the writer to be sure that the deal isn’t too good to be true, resulting in a poor product or no product at all.